Colonials Advance to NCAA Regionals for First Time Since 2006

The George Washington golf team won its first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship on Sunday at the Heron Bay Golf Club.

April 29, 2012

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - The sixth-seeded George Washington golf team earned its first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship on Sunday after carding a two-round, 36-hole score of 8-under par 568 at the par-72 Heron Bay Golf Club. The Colonials earn an automatic bid to regional NCAA Tournament play, to be held May 17-19 at a location to be announced.

Sixth-seeded GW owned the lead through the event's first two rounds and was awarded the crown after Sunday's final round was cancelled due to unplayable conditions from extended overnight rain. The Colonials unseated six-time defending champion and second-place finisher Charlotte by two strokes and set a new 36-hole team record, while claiming their best finish at the league championship since finishing second in 2005. With the 2012 A-10 title, the GW golf program earns its first conference championship since claiming Southern Conference crowns three straight years from 1957-59.

In addition, senior Andres Pumariega was named to the all-conference team, and head coach Terry Shaffer ('79) was honored with the 2012 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year award.

"I cannot explain how happy I am for my team," Shaffer said. "These guys worked so hard and they deserve this title. This is a huge step in the right direction for both GW golf and the Colonials athletics department. I am elated."

The Colonials will compete in their first NCAA Regionals since earning an automatic bid based on regional ranking in 2006. Pumariega finished with a two-round 5-under 139, just one stroke behind individual champion Raoul Menard of Charlotte. The Miami, Fla., native's 5-under 67 on Saturday was the lowest round of the Championship.

"It feels incredible to win this my senior year," Pumariega said. "Everyone really stepped up this weekend. It was a complete team effort."

Senior Martin Liu finished 10th in his final career conference championship with a two-round score of 1-under 143 after shooting a 3-under 69 on Friday and a 2-over 74 on Saturday. Fellow senior Brandon Rukin and freshman Jack Persons tied for 11th place with two-day scores of even-par 144. Rukin fired off a 1-under 71 through Round 1 and a 2-under 73 through Round 2, while Persons carded even-par 72 scores two straight days.

Senior Taylor Fuqua climbed the leaderboard on Day 2, after sitting in a tie for 38th through Round 1 with a 4-over 76. Fuqua shot an even-par 72 on Saturday for a two-round score of 4-over 148 to finish In a tie for 27th place.

NCAA Regionals seeding will begin following the completion of all NCAA Division I conference championships. Check back with GWsports.com and follow @GW_Golf on Twitter for details as they become available.